The development of the media as an agency of political change, i.e., as a force in shaping our view of reality. Also examined are image creation, the development of public relations, the shaping of policy and candidates, capital intensive electronic high technology and its impact on elections, the weakening of political parties and reduced attention to issues as opposed to the election, and media relations practices of regulated industries and foreign firms. Differences in press-government relations in the U.S. and Canada are also examined. Research paper, field trip.